Transitions can be tough. As students and staff move on in their lives, it is important we celebrate their time with us. Instead of focusing on the sadness,pour gratitude into the experience. This quote says it perfectly: Read Full Article →

When younger students are preparing to change studio rooms, leave a class, walk to the stage, etc., the easiest way to transition as a group is by making a dance train. I pull my arm like a whistle and go “Choo, Choo!”, [...]Read Full Article →

Recital and performance season is here! When I was dancing, I always kept all of my belongings in a laundry basket which helped in transporting items to and fro. I encourage all of my students and backstage volunteers to follow suit- when everything [...]Read Full Article →

I am a huge advocate in encouraging dancers to reach their fullest potential. However, as performances near, I’m also a believer in simplifying choreography to really make it shine and pop. As educators, it is our responsibility to push and challenge our [...]Read Full Article →

This year, in order to make sure everyone is fully prepared for recital, we are checking shoes in class and communicating with parents that may need to purchase or borrow a new pair or clean up their current shoes. It is important [...]Read Full Article →

At your performances, pre-show announcements regarding safety, etiquette, and intermission should be conveyed to your audience members. You may choose to deliver the announcements on stage, from backstage, or via a pre-recorded message. This year, we are going to start our show with [...]Read Full Article →

A step and repeat is an awesome marketing tool for your studio’s performances. It is exciting to see so many studios using this great item! This year, in pictures, I noticed many step and repeats were wrinkled and creased. You want to [...]Read Full Article →

Once you complete your end of year show, you may have a few remaining souvenir items. If you are wondering what to do with them, here are some creative ways we make use of our leftovers! Program Books: Distribute A Copy to Advertisers Save [...]Read Full Article →

Today, we begin the first of seven recitals that will span through June 7th! For me, this is one of the most exciting times of the year- the teachers and students have worked hard to present a product that will showcase their [...]Read Full Article →

Polishing and perfecting your students’ recital routines is an important component of a stellar end of year performance. While the routine is the center focus, it is also important to practice the entrance and exit process to make the transition to the [...]Read Full Article →

In order to have consistency in your spacing and staging for your recital performances, it is important to designate a standardized grid for the performance area. This grid should be measured exactly the same in all of your studio rooms, and it [...]Read Full Article →

Recitals are a lot of work- there’s no doubt about it, especially if you work hard to take your show to the next level. When people nay say the power of the year- end recital performance (studio owners/directors, staff, parents, students, etc.), [...]Read Full Article →

Since our industry is in the midst of its show and performance season, it seems like a good time to reiterate the importance of requiring students to try-on any costume or apparel based item prior to leaving the studio. The benefits include: [...]Read Full Article →

Want to make your recital picture days as efficient as possible? Pre-plan the classes’ portrait poses, so that they can be immediately prepared when they enter the photo room. Make notes and keep track of every class’s designated position and make sure [...]Read Full Article →

The pinnacle moment of the dance year has arrived: RECITAL SEASON. The recital is an opportunity to showcase your dancers’ progress and achievements throughout the entire year. This is the one chance for every participant of your studio to see the fruits [...]Read Full Article →

There’s a post on Dance Exec that discusses the importance of Organizing Your Curtain Call in relation to your overall recital planning. This year, I challenged myself to heighten the organization and systemization of our Curtain Call for our varying shows. The [...]Read Full Article →

When does your studio begin the process of rehearsing recital routines? Your chosen timeline reflects the culture and mission of your studio. At our studio, recital routines are rehearsed March-May, and the recital is held the first week of June. Why do [...]Read Full Article →

As you are working on bows, hairpieces, and hair accessories for costumes and performances, consider replacing all of the slightly inadequate clasps and fixtures with alligator clips. The alligator clips are overwhelmingly user friendly and secure. You can purchase a the clips [...]Read Full Article →

Does scheduling your recital program make your head spin? Recital Conflict Manager is a software program that may be the answer to making your life much easier. The program allows you to view your recital in a clear, graphical way, making it [...]Read Full Article →

As you are in the midst of Recital Costume Selection, it is important to implement a standardized costume measurement protocol. Sizing is critical in creating a polished, well-tailored look for your performers. One of our costume reps attended last spring’s recital, and [...]Read Full Article →

While recital season is still several months away, it is important to implement a timeline to be well prepared for your show. An important part of planning your recital is costume selection. As costume catalogs arrive in mailboxes, make sure you are [...]Read Full Article →

Dance studios have long explored the best way to offer recital ticket sales—whether it is in studio (lines, lotteries, etc.), via box offices, or with mail requests. Eric Housh was standing in his daughter’s studio’s recital ticket line when he realized that [...]Read Full Article →

It is always amazing how many people are unaware of proper theatre etiquette- from Broadway performances to regional shows to annual recital production audiences. To help combat this issue, I drafted a handout to distribute to the studio’s parents that offered a [...]Read Full Article →

Dance recital season is an incredibly busy time. When selecting costumes for your dancers, you want to choose companies that are reliable, accessible, and invested in the success of your studio. Curtain Call Costumes takes the initiative to guarantee they are doing [...]Read Full Article →

The pinnacle moment of the dance year has arrived: RECITAL SEASON. The recital is an opportunity to showcase your dancers’ progress and achievements throughout the entire year. This is the one chance for every participant of your studio to see the fruits [...]Read Full Article →

Spreading the Excitement! Great Recital Time Read for Young Dancers I am a fan of the book My Dance Recital by Maryann Cocca-Leffler. The board book has lots of fun, interactive pop-ups and illustrations to guide students through the recital [...]Read Full Article →

Each year, I love planning my studio’s annual spring recital. I enjoy selecting a theme and designing the graphic identity that will accompany each production. For this process, I work with the same graphic designer each year, and our collaborative process is [...]Read Full Article →